Green Your Business with Green Office Supplies

As a small business owner, I'm constantly striving to make my office green. From recycling paper to using Energy Star rated computers, each small step helps make my work space more environmentally friendly. I'm also taking a closer look at the office supplies that I use each day and striving to make each choice a little greener. Green office supplies include more environmentally-friendly versions of legal pads, copier paper, pens, pencils, highlighters and envelopes.

Green Office Supplies - Writing Utensils

According to Green Seal, approximately 1.6 million single-use pens are thrown away in the U.S. each year. That's enough pens to cover over 150 miles when the pens are laid end to end. When you are looking to restock the supply closet with green office supplies, refillable pens are a more environmentally-friendly choice.

What makes refillable pens green? Refillable pens last longer since you don't need to toss them once the ink runs out. Simply place a new ink tube inside and you're good to go. Plus, many ink tubes and metal ballpoints are made from recycled content which makes them even more environmentally -friendly. When seeking refillable pens, look for versions made from recycled content.

If your preferred writing utensil is a pencil instead of a pen, consider mechanical pencils. This green office supply lasts longer than a standard pencil since it only requires occasional filling with lead. And who doesn't love the added benefit of never having to sharpen a pencil? Traditional pencils are often made of virgin wood which equates to over 11,000 trees cut down each year to make pencils in the United States alone. You can avoid being a part of this statistic by choosing mechanical pencils or pencils made from recycled materials instead.

Highlighters in all shades can contain hazardous substances. A green office supply closet includes water-based highlighters and markers. Water-based versions are a more environmentally-friendly choice than alcohol-based or aromatic solvent-based makers. Aromatic solvent-based markers can contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that have been shown to cause health effects when individuals are overexposed to the substance. Markers that are certified by the Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI), water-based and certified AP non-toxic are a greener choice.

Green Office Supplies - Paper, Envelopes and Sticky Notes

A green office should already have a plan in place to reduce paper use. But when paper is required, a green office supply closet should be stocked with chlorine-free paper made of at least 30% post consumer waste recycled content. Paper that is free of chlorine is preferred since chlorine-based bleaches produce dioxins that can accumulate in water, air and soil and have been linked to health issues. The Chlorine Free Products Association website provides additional resources for businesses looking to invest in chlorine-free green office supplies.

Traditional legal pads have been redesigned to feature recycled paper. The higher percentage of recycled content, the greener the legal pad is. Sticky notes can also be a part of green office supplies. There are sticky notes made of 100% recycled content. Choose the smallest size necessary for sticky notes to minimize additional waste.

Instead of mailing invoices and other customer correspondence, consider e-mailing the information to save on envelope costs, postage and transportation costs. For times when dropping an item in the mail is unavoidable, choose envelopes made from recycled content, unbleached Kraft paper or chlorine-free paper.

Green Offices Recycle File Folders and Hanging File Folders

Instead of throwing out used file folders, recycle them instead. If the tab is already written on, simply place a label over and write the new information on the label. Hanging folders can tear over time. Instead of throwing out consider using strong packing tape to repair the folder. When new folders are required, look for folders made from recycled materials.

Obtaining green office supplies doesn't need to happen all at once. As you shop for new office supplies, look for items made of recycled materials and take the entire product life cycle into consideration when purchasing items. Although some items like refillable pens may cost more than disposable pens, they often end up saving you money in the long run.

Sources:

Green Seal's Choose Green Report, Office Supplies, May 2002 http://www.greenseal.org/resources/reports/CGR_officesupplies.pdf

New American Dream Purchasing Network, Purchasing Guide http://www.responsiblepurchasing.org/purchasing_guides/copy_paper/facts/

Conservatree Website - http://www.conservatree.com/learn/Papermaking/Definitions.shtml